“Ghaati Review : Fresh Backdrop, Weak Execution”
Sarkar Rating : 2/5 Release Date : Sep 5, 2025
Cast
Anushka Shetty, Vikram Prabhu, Chaitanya Rao Madadi, Jagapathi Babu, & Others
Crew
Director : Krish Jagarlamudi
Producers : Yeduguru Rajeev Reddy, Saibabu Jagarlamudi
Music Director : Nagavelli Vidya Sagar
Cinematographer : Manojh Reddy Katasani
Editor : Chanakya Reddy Toorupu
Story
Ghaati follows the story of Sheelavati (Anushka Shetty) and Desi Raju (Vikram Prabhu), whose lives take a dark turn after a series of tragic events. What begins as their personal struggle soon transforms into Sheelavati’s journey of revolt against those responsible, ultimately leading her to rise as a legend. Her mission to save the Ghaatis forms the central arc of the narrative.
Performances
Anushka Shetty, known for her commanding screen presence, is unfortunately let down by weak characterization and underwhelming writing. While she delivers her role with dignity, the script fails to offer her the kind of impactful moments that suit her stature. As a result, even her natural charisma doesn’t elevate the film.
Vikram Prabhu, meanwhile, gets surprisingly significant screen time in the first half—so much so that he often feels like the lead. His performance is competent, but the lack of a Telugu connect creates an unintentional disconnect with the audience.
Chaitanya Rao, cast as the main villain, feels misfit in his role. His character is exaggerated beyond his capacity, and despite sincere effort, he never comes across as menacing. Other supporting actors are equally wasted due to poorly written roles that lack depth or impact.
Analysis
Directed by Krish, a filmmaker known for choosing unique subjects, Ghaati initially intrigues with its novel backdrop. However, the execution falters quickly.
The first half struggles with loud narration and a lack of emotional engagement. Instead of establishing Anushka as the central force, the story tilts heavily toward Vikram Prabhu. Anushka’s role is reduced to a weakly written character, with no standout moments befitting her caliber. The villain’s introduction and buildup also fail to create any real tension.
The second half slips into a formulaic revenge drama that we’ve seen countless times before. The freshness of the “Ghaati” setting is squandered as the film turns into a predictable saga with over-the-top villainy and a climax that unfolds exactly as expected. Despite the scope for grandeur and emotional heft, the narrative remains flat, loud, and outdated in treatment.
By the end, Ghaati comes across as a missed opportunity—an ambitious setup weighed down by routine execution and lack of emotional connect.
Music & Technical Aspects
Sagar Nagavelli’s music fails to leave an impression both as audio and on-screen. The songs act as speed-breakers rather than enhancing the narrative. The background score, unnecessarily loud, only highlights the film’s shortcomings instead of supporting the drama.
Visually too, Ghaati is a letdown. For a setting as fresh as this, the film deserved stronger visual appeal and sharper editing. The production values are adequate but not impactful enough to lift the film.
Highlights
A fresh core premise
A few well-written dialogues
Drawbacks
Weak character design, especially for Anushka
Loud and emotionless narration
Miscasting in key roles
Predictable revenge drama in the second half
Underwhelming technical execution
Verdict
Ghaati had the potential to be a powerful, emotionally charged drama with Anushka Shetty at its center. Instead, it ends up as a routine revenge saga that feels both outdated and uninspiring. A fresh backdrop is wasted on weak writing, loud presentation, and predictable storytelling.
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